Spectral Reflectance to Estimate Genetic Variation for In-Season Biomass, Leaf Chlorophyll, and Canopy Temperature in Wheat

Spectral indices as a selection tool in plant breeding could improve genetic gains for different important traits. The objectives of this study were to assess the potential of using spectral reflectance indices (SRI) to estimate genetic variation for in-season biomass production, leaf chlorophyll, and canopy temperature (CT) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under irrigated conditions. Three field experiments, GHIST (15 CIMMYT globally adapted historic genotypes), RILs1 (25 recombinant inbred lines [RILs]), and RILs2 (36 RILs) were conducted under irrigated conditions at the CIMMYT research station in northwest Mexico in three different years. Five SRI were evaluated to differentiate genotypes for biomass production. In general, genotypic variation for all the indices was significant. Near infrared radiation (NIR)–based indices gave the highest levels of associationwith biomass production and the higher associations were observed at heading and grainfilling, rather than at booting. Overall, NIR-based indices were more consistent and differentiated biomass more effectively compared to the other indices. Indices based on ratio of reflection spectra correlatedwith SPADchlorophyll values, and the associationwas stronger at the generative growth stages. These SRI also successfully differentiated the SPAD values at the genotypic level. The NIR-based indices showed a strong and significant association with CT at the heading and grainfilling stages. These results demonstrate the potential of using SRI as a breeding tool to select for increased genetic gains in biomass and chlorophyll content, plus for cooler canopies. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS in grain yield of spring wheat under irrigated conditions has been made through the classical breeding approach (Slafer et al., 1994), even though the genetic basis of yield improvement in wheat is not well established (Reynolds et al., 1999). Several authors have reported that progress in grain yield is mainly attributed to better partitioning of photosynthetic products (Waddington et al., 1986; Calderini et al., 1995; Sayre et al., 1997). The systematic increase in the partitioning of assimilates (harvest index) has a theoretical upper limit of approximately 60% (Austin et al., 1980). Further yield increases in wheat through improvement in harvest index will be limited without a further increase in total crop biomass (Austin et al., 1980; Slafer and Andrade, 1991; Reynolds et al., 1999). Though until relatively recently biomass was not commonly associated with yield gains, increases in biomass of spring wheat have been reported (Waddington et al., 1986; Sayre et al., 1997) and more recently in association with yield increases (Singh et al., 1998; Reynolds et al., 2005; Shearman et al., 2005). Thus, a breeding approach is needed that will select genotypes with higher biomass capacity, while maintaining the high partitioning rate of photosynthetic products. Direct estimation of biomass is a timeand laborintensive undertaking. Moreover, destructive in-season sampling involves large sampling errors (Whan et al., 1991) and reduces the final area for estimation of grain yield and final biomass. Regan et al. (1992) demonstrated a method to select superior genotypes of spring wheat for early vigor under rainfed conditions using a destructive sampling technique, but such sampling is impossible for breeding programs where a large number of genotypes are being screened for various desirable traits. Spectral reflectance indices are a potentially rapid technique that could assess biomass at the genotypic level without destructive sampling (Elliott and Regan, 1993; Smith et al., 1993; Bellairs et al., 1996; Peñuelas et al., 1997). Canopy light reflectance properties based mainly on the absorption of light at a specific wavelength are associated with specific plant characteristics. The spectral reflectance in the visible (VIS) wavelengths (400–700 nm) depends on the absorption of light by leaf chlorophyll and associated pigments such as carotenoid and anthocyanins. The reflectance of the VIS wavelengths is relatively low because of the high absorption of light energy by these pigments. In contrast, the reflectance of theNIR wavelengths (700–1300 nm) is high, since it is not absorbed by plant pigments and is scattered by plant tissue at different levels in the canopy, such that much of it is reflected back rather than being absorbed by the soil (Knipling, 1970). Spectral reflectance indices were developed on the basis of simple mathematical formula, such as ratios or differences between the reflectance at given wavelengths (Araus et al., 2001). Simple ratio (SR 5 NIR/VIS) and the normalized difference vegetation M.A. Babar, A.R. Klatt, and W.R. Raun, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, 368 Ag. Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; M.P. Reynolds, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Km. 45, Carretera Mexico, El Batan, Texcoco, Mexico; M. van Ginkel, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Private Bag 260, Horsham, Victoria, Postcode: 3401, DX Number: 216515, Australia; M.L. Stone, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA. This research was partially funded by the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation (OWRF), Oklahoma Wheat Commission, and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center), Mexico. Received 11 Mar. 2005. *Corresponding author ([email protected]). Published in Crop Sci. 46:1046–1057 (2006). Crop Breeding & Genetics doi:10.2135/cropsci2005.0211 a Crop Science Society of America 677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA Abbreviations: CT, canopy temperature; CTD, canopy temperature depression; GHIST, global historic; NDVI, normalized difference vegetation index; NIR, near infrared radiation; NWI-1, normalized water index-1; NWI-2, normalized water index-2; PSSRa, pigment specific simple ratio-chlorophyll a; RARSa, ratio analysis of reflectance spectra-chlorophyll a; RARSb, ratio analysis of reflectance spectra-chlorophyll b; RARSc, ratio analysis of reflectance spectracarotenoids; RILs, recombinant inbred lines; SR, simple ratio; SRI, spectral reflectance indices; WI, water index. R e p ro d u c e d fr o m C ro p S c ie n c e . P u b lis h e d b y C ro p S c ie n c e S o c ie ty o f A m e ri c a . A ll c o p y ri g h ts re s e rv e d . 1046 Published online March 27, 2006